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Harper rose to collect the dishes from the table and carry them to the sink “How can we help?”
Dora returned a grateful look “Just asking hi hi We just have to get him used to the idea so it’s not a sudden shock He’ll have a tour of the school at the end of the week I’ Cal will join us for that”
“Cal supports your decision?” Carson opened a drawer to grab a towel “That’s a switch”
“You know Cal He’s got to feel in control”
“What does control mean in this scenario?”
“He put up a fuss initially about the cost of tuition” Dora handed Carson a wet dish “It’s high There’s no sugarcoating that But when I told hi a job to pay for half the tuition, he quieted down Now he can tell everyone how he’s such a good father, putting his son through private school” Dora made a face “That wasn’t very nice, was it?”
“Just honest,” Carson quipped “Are you looking to buy or rent?”
“Lord, I can’t afford to buy a birdhouse until my divorce is settled and the house in Su” Dora laughed shortly “I’ , grabbed the towel from Carson
Harper saw a new confidence in Dora’s face “You sound happy”
Dora snorted and dried her hands briskly “I think that’s hysteria you’re seeing” Her ar lih a divorce Ten years of ers “Over There’s a world of hurt mixed up in all of this But,” she said with an opti period of unhappiness”
“I’m proud of you, Sis,” Carson said
“I’ve a lot to do in a hurry Seems to be my mantra lately At least I can carpool to the school from here without trouble till I find a place” Dora looked around the room “Thank God for Marace But the sale of this house is iot to move”
There followed a long silence
Dora tossed the towel on the counter and turned to Harper “What about you? Where are you headed at summer’s end?”
“Don’t know yet,” Harper answered evasively, leaning back against the counter Inside, her thoughts were roiling She’d been searching the Internet for possible editorial positions, writing, all the while keeping physically busy in the garden Nothing she could report Certainly nothing as life changing as Carson’s baby or Dora’sthings out”
“Everything okay?”
“Everything is copacetic” Harper forced a noncorin
Dora turned her questioning gaze to Carson
Carson held up her hands like a shield “It’s free rent I’ as I can”
Harper thought that sounded defeatist “Any luck on the job front?”
“There’s not a big derapher in Charleston,” Carson added sarcastically Thenon everyone’s door in LA but nothing’s turned up yet I’ve called everyone I know, and II’ when I say the coffers are empty”
“I could lend you soaze The subjects of her wealthy family and her trust fund were touchy between her and Carson
“Thanks, Sis, but no I don’t want to feel beholden to you Our relationship is too important to me to risk”